Main Navigation

You are here:

Scoliosis: Wearing a Brace

Topic Overview

The cosmetic aspects of
scoliosis and the braces used to treat it may greatly
affect a child or teen.

Teenagers may find wearing a brace
devastating to their self-image. Most braces should be worn for 20 hours a day
or more, usually for several years. It is very difficult to get teens to wear the brace for as many hours as their doctors recommend. They don't like how the braces look or feel.

Also, wearing a brace may limit activities such as horseback riding,
skiing, skating, and gymnastics. Other activities, though, such as biking,
tennis, running, and jumping, are safe to do while the brace is worn. It is
typically recommended that children be allowed to remove their braces to
take part in physical education classes and other highly desired activities.
This may encourage better use of the brace.

Newer braces are
designed to improve the chances they will be worn as recommended.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.